The wider Footsie was 39.9 points higher at 5182.4 in an otherwise quiet session for corporate news, while many global stock markets were closed.

But the pace is likely to pick up tomorrow as banking giant Barclays delivers annual results and a number of economics announcements are expected to test confidence later in the week.

Barclays was up 7.9p to 269.9p ahead of figures expected to show full-year profits of more than £11bn. Many other stocks in the sector were also doing well after Citigroup analysts said UK banks looked undervalued compared to their European peers.

HSBC added 8.3p to 658p, Lloyds Banking Group rose 0.5p to 47.1p, and Royal Bank of Scotland was 0.4p better off at 31.7p.

In the meantime, miners made progress after metal prices ticked higher in thin trading with Chinese and US markets closed, helped by a surprise fall in copper stocks.

Rio Tinto was up 107p to 3313p, Xstrata ahead 31.5p to 1036.5p and Anglo American 61.5p stronger at 2371.5p.

Burberry also crept onto the risers board, adding 7.5p to 609.5p after brokers at UBS said prospects for the luxury goods sector looked brighter during the second half of 2010.

BT however continued to suffer after its results last week threw a further spotlight on its pension woes. Shares were down 1.7p to 120.8p today, making it the top flight’s biggest casualty.

Among the second-liners, UK transport giant FirstGroup put in a good session after being named as the preferred bidder for shuttle and park and ride services for the London 2012 Olympics, a deal involving almost 900 bus and coaches. Shares added 12p to 348p or almost 4%.

Publishing group UBM followed close behind after an upgrade from Barclays Capital helped push the stock 13.6p ahead to 425.9p.

Meanwhile services group Mouchel surged 11% or 26.75p to 276.75p after rival VT increased its takeover proposal to 294p a share, equivalent to £330m. Surrey-based Mouchel said it was consulting with its major shareholders about the new offer.